Centrifugal cream-separator.



No. 806,346. PATENTBD no.5,19o5. P. L. KIMBALL.

GBNTRIPUGAL CREAM SEPARATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.25, 1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

MATHEEEESJ I y f f /Qmffw 'Fg 1 fwd/'ZM n 510.805.245. Y PATENTBD 135051905.

, P. L. KIMBALL. y

- CBNTRIFUGAL CREAM. SBPARATOR.

` MPLIOATION FILED 114511.25. 1905.

4 SHEETS--SHEET 2.

Nmsoel; 'K y n PATBNTED DEC.5,1905. P. L. KIMBALL,

CBNTRIPUGAL CREAM SEPARATOR.

APPLICATION FILED mags. 1905. Y

.Figa

' 7 am 1@ M@ @y ymg No. 000,346. l vILLENTED DEG. 5, 1905.

' P. L. KIMBALL. y y' GENTRIFUGAL CREAM sEPARAToR/.f

APPLIOATION FILED MAR.z5,1005. ff

' 4 snnETsLsnEET 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEicE.

EERLEY L. KIMEALL, OE'BELLows FALLS, VERMONT, AssGNOR TO VEE- M'ONT FARM MACHINE CORPORATION.

:To all whowt` t nca/g] concern: Be it known that I, PERLEY L. KIMBALL, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Bellows` Falls, in the'county of Windham an'd State of Vermont, have invented-certain new and useful Improvements in Genf trifugal. Cream-Separatore, lowing is a specification. v

This invention has for its principal objects the facilitation of the separation of cream from whole milk within a centrifugal` separator by apeculiarly-organized structure for of which the .fol-

-subdividing the massof liquid operated upon, l

the drawing off of the skim-milk from the eX- treme inner periphery of the centrifugal bowl yto insure the maximum creamimpoverishment of thesame, and the location of discharge-orifices for the cream and skim-milk,-

respectivelyfinside the limits of substantially the same radial distance from the axis of rotation, but separated from each other by solid division-Walls, while at the same time securingthe separability of all parts of the apparatus in such manner as to make the interior of its several compartments` and `passages vreadily accessible for cleansing.

The embodiment of this invention is specifically exemplified by thepfollowing-described centrifugal cream-separator with its constitu-l -mode of construction, which is illustratedby the. accompanying drawings, whereinl Figure 1 is a central-vertical section ofthe ent parts in their normal operative positions,

butVA without the radial partitions in the skimmillz passage between the two divisions of the duplex cover. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the top of the apparatus and of a horizontal section taken through thenecks of the duplex cover at the location indicatedv by dotted lineI a" on Fig. 1.. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the -circular base-plate upon which rests the sub dividing `devices within the centrifugal bowl, -together with their lateral supports and the axiallyflocated milk-feeding tube. Fig. .4 is a plan view of one of the Subdividers. Fig. -5 is an elevation of two Subdividers in their mutually-interlocked position. Fig. 6 is a plan View, and Fig. 7 a sideelevation, of the inner division of the duplex cover, having aliixed thereto the radial partitions whichsubdivide the skim-milk passage between the two divisions of that cover.

Referringlto .the drawings, A is th'ebowl of Specification of Iletters Patent.

Application tiled March 25, 1905, Serial No. 251,925.

COMPANY, OE BELLOws" EALLs, VERMONT, v,A

CENTRIFUGL CBEANHSEPARATOR.

the centrifugal cream-separator, secured lto and supported upon th'e spindle B in the usual and well-known manner.

Patented Dec. 5, 1905.

' Within the centrifugal bowl and concentric to the -aXisthereof is placed the feed-tuberi, which receives support at its lower en'dfby litting over a cylindrical boss projetirlg` 1113- -ward from the bottom of the centrifugalbowl and which near its upper end lpasse s,-,tlirough a circular aperture in the cover andtisrthere laterally supported bythe latter.

` Surrounding theV feed-tube@,nearto its lower end and to the bottom of the centrifugal bowl, is the circular base-plate which is-fasltened securely to the feed-tube and ,extends horizontally to close proximity withv'the interior cylindrical periphery of thefbowl.. .A The feed-tube a and the basefplateo, attached thereto, are kept from turning when in normal operative position by a slotin the lower end of the feed-tubewhich ts overa pin secured to the bottom of the bowl, rl he lower` end of thefeed-tube is alsopr-ovided with apertures for the outward How of.J the l milkunderneath the base-plate, and the latter is perforated with a circular series of holes c, arranged concentrically to the axis of the bowl and opening into the annular space which is surrounded by the subdividing devices presently to be described.

The mechanical meansfor facilitating the separation of cream and blue milk from each other' consists of a peculiarly-Organized structure by which the mass of whole'milk introduced into the centrifugal bowl to be therein' operated upon is subdivided into what may properly be'des-ignated as thin liquid [illets, each separately inclosed in a correspondingly-shaped compartment wherein the .distance to be traveled by the cream globules in order to become separated from .the blue milk with which theyare associated is the least practically possible, while at the Sametime the structure itself -when the apparatus is taken apart is capable-of being readilylseparated.

into its component elementsy to suchan extent as to expose their 1nter1or surfaces Vto, easy accessibility-for cleansing. The indiyidual component element of this structure isa-Sngle subdivider consisting.. flat annularplateol, which has aflixed;v ot, of itsgopposite sides and projecting atri-ghtjangle thgerefrom a cyclicseries .of .parallel blades eat-orming involute curves and which may be provided with perforations f through it between such blades. Several of these Subdividers are superposed in such manner as to cause their opposed series of involute blades to interlock with each other, and thus to convert each space between two consecutive blades into two thin tubular spiral passages leading from the inner to the outer margins of the annular plates from which those blades project.

When, as shown in the drawings, the two cyclic series of parallel involute blades e, projecting from opposite sides of the annular plate d and constituting therewith an elemental subdivider, are coincident with each other, sothat every separate blade upon one side is in the same curved plane with a corresponding blade upon the other side, and when also the annular plate d is perforated between the successive blades, so as to permit the iow of liquid transversely across each coincident pair of blades, the principal functions of such perforated plate are to furnish a rigid support for the coincident cyclic series of involute blades upon both sides of it and to present a fixed abutment for the free lateral edges of the blades of the next adjacent member or members of the series of interlocked subdividers to bear against.

Rigidly secured to the feed-tube t and projecting laterally from its outer surface in planes radial to the axis thereof are four wings g, perforated with holes /L and carrying upon their outer edges bearing-strips a', over which the annular plates of the subdividers closely fit and which serve as' lateral supports for the same. One of these vertical bearing-strips extends radially farther out than the others, and to accommodate it a corresponding notch j' is cut in the inner edge of the annular plate d of each subdivider, so as to keep the latter from turning. When a series of these eemental Subdividers, superposed and interlocked, as hereinbefore described, is introduced within the centrifugal bowl, the whole subdividing structure thus constituted rests upon the base-plate b and forms within the annular space between the internal cylindrical periphery of the centrifugal bowl and an axially-concentric cavity therein an assemblage of closely-adjacent relatively small and narrow tubular spiral passages or ducts open at their ends and extending through such annular space obliquely across planes radial to the axis of the bowl. These Subdividers should be so constructed that when thus assembled to form a superposed and interlocked series within the centrifugal bowl their involute blades will run in such direction as to have their outermost ends point toward the direction in which they and the centrifugal bowl are intended to be rotated. Thus in the apparatus herein concretely illustrated'the centrifugal bowl is assumed to be rotated from left to right when viewed from above its top, or, in other words, in the direction of movement of the hands of a clock, and accordingly the blades of the subdividers are mounted and assembled so as to point in the same direction. This relationship of position to direction of rotation tends to retard the outward ow of the liquid within the tubular spiral passages of the subdividing structure, and thus secures more time for the escape of the cream from the milk at any given point. The economy and convenience of such a subdividing structure will be manifest from the fact that if each elemental subdivider contains eighteen blades on each side of its annular plate and has a width of, say, five-eighths of an inch, each blade being a little less than live-sixteenths of an inch in width by reason of the thickness of the supportingplate, it will take only nine of such subdividers to occupy three and one-half inchesin axial depth, and where two adjacent subdividers are interlocked the space between each two consecutive annular plates will be subdivided by thirty-six involute blades into as many involute ducts, and yet when the structure of the dimensions just given is taken apart for cleansing there are only nine separate pieces to be taken care of and reassembled for further use` whereas in such prior structures as have accomplished the subdivision of the same annular space to even an approximately comparable degree with suitable provision for accessibility in cleansing the number of separate subdividing elemental pieces to be taken apart and replaced has been very considerably greater and has required much more time and care for proper management. The series of superposed and interlocked subdividers thus introduced into the centrifugal bowl is held securely down when the apparatus is in normal operative condition by an annular iiange e, which projects downward from the under side of the cover or, in the speciiic apparatus herein described, from the base of theinner division of the duplex cover t, and which bears firmly upon the topmost subdivider of the series. This downwardly-projecting flange .e is made of suflicient depth in a direction parallel to the axis of the centrifugal bowl to provide an otherwise-unobstructed space above the subdividing structure for the final adjustmentof relative position therein between the cream and skim-milk just before their discharge from the centrifugal bowl. The flange itself is perforated at intervals with holes which permit the flow of the liquid through it, and obviously it will perform its described functions whatever may be the precise contour of its walls, provided its general outline as a whole is annular in shape and it is traversed by lateral passages.

The centrifugal cream-separator to which the improvements constituting the present invention are applied is provided with a du- IOO IIO

gal bo l.

plex cover which consists of separable inner and outer divisionsfeach comprising an annular base Zn 7c and a tubular neck ZZ, and these two divisionsy containV between them the entire passages for the' delivery ofthe skimmilk from the centrifugal bowl. The annular base k' of the inner division of'theduplex cover is substantially equal in diameter to the cylindrical cavity of the centrifugal bowl, and when all parts of the apparatus are in normal operativeposition the circumferential periphery of this annular base 7c is encompassed by a groove m, located yin the immediatelysurrounding wall and affording spacefor the escape of the skim-milk while under centrifugal stress at the extreme outmost portions of its mass into the dischargepassages between the two divisions of the duplex cover. This groove m, encompassingthe circumferential y 4periphery of the annular base 7s of the inner division of the duplex cover, may be formed in the interior periphery of a flange n, depending from approximately'the circumferential portion of the margin of the annular riph'ery ofthe upper part of. the wall of the l centrifugal bowl itself, according to thev mode 'in which the' outer division ofthe duplex cover is secured upon the-topof the centrifu- The discharge-passages for the delivery of f they skim-milk from the centrifugal bowl lead i radially inward from the groovem, encom passing the circumferential periphery of the annular base fr of the inner division of the `duplex cover, betweenthat annularbase and vthe duplex cover, to an annular diaphragm 0,

which bridges the spacebetween thetubular necks Z Z of these two divisions, thence y through orices p in that diaphragm,fso located as to havetheir extreme outer edges at substantially the same radial distance from` the axis of rotation as is the outer edge of the aperture s for the final discharge of the cream when adjusted toits outermost position. 1 A-f ter passing the orifices p through the annular diaphragm "0 the skim-milk is-delivered-outward at or near' the'top of the tubular neck of the outer division of the duplex cover. Y. ln

order to keep the skim-milk'from excessive lateral swirl in its inward iow toward the axis of rotation, the space between the annular bases of the inner and outer divisions of the duplexcover is more or less subdivided by radial partitions g.'

The discharge-'passage for the cream is a tube r, opening through and extending from the bottom of theannular base 7c of the inner division of the duplex cover near to the bore of its tubular neck Z and parallel with i the axis thereof up to the ,topl of.v the same. The upper end of this cream-discharge tube r is screw-threaded inside and ist'here closed by a screw-plug which has a small hole s through it lengthwise and very close to its periphery for the final exit of, the cream. By turning this plug the discharge-orifice s can by virtue of its eccentric position be adjusted at distances from the axis of rotation of the centrifugalbowl varying within a range nearly equal to the diameter of'thecream-tube r itself, and thus cream of predetermined dencomplished by contracting the neck Z of theinner division of the said coverat thatplace' to such extentasto cause a considerable por- -tion of the walls'inclosing the cream-discharge passage r to project laterally beyond the outer surface of the walls of the neck Z thus contracted. IIn this way thelexitl of the skimmilk from the inwardly-leading passages between the :two divisions of the duplex cover is provided for at a radial distance from the axis of rotation which it is desired that the dividing-circle betweenthe vblue milk and the i cream' shall assume at the upper part of their separated masses within .the'centri'fugal bowl andy which will manifestly be substantially the same asthe radial distance from the axis of rotation of the liquid annulus of skim-milk standingup just below the diaphragmat thethe tubular discharge-passage r for the creamy is so located with relation to the`exit-orifices p'for the'skim-milk that the .extreme outer IOO edges-of the latter are at substantially the division of the duplex cover, and between the under side of such'annularjolfset and the outer margin of 'the upper side of the annular diaphragm beneath it are provided meansy for their engagement, so as to form a tight joint when all parts of the apparatus are in normal operative position-such, for instaiice,as-

a groove u, containing packing inthe oneand a corresponding beading fu upon the other to enter lsuch groove and to` pressfupon the pack ingtherein.

For the purpose of aiding to keep the two divisions of the duplex cover in undisturbed concentric relation to each other the tubular neck Zl of the inner division above its contracted portion is enlarged in diameter to lit and be closely embraced by the upper end of the tubular neck Z of the outer division, and the apertures for the escape of the skim-milk i from the nal discharge-cavity above the diaphragm o are made through the wall of the tubular neck Z of the outer division of the duplex cover just below the enlargement of the top of the tubular neck Z of the inner division. r

The outer division of the duplex cover is provided with a angea, depending from approximately the circumferential margin of its annular base to make screw connection with the upper portion of the centrifugal bowl. If such screw connection is located upon the outside of the centrifugal bowl, the upper edge of the cylindrical wall of the latter is made to abut against the lower side of the annular base c of the outer division of vthe duplex cover just inside of the flange depending therefrom, with packing between them; but if the screw connection is located upon the inside of the centrifugal bowl, as in the structure specifically delineated, the ange a, depending from the outer margin of the annular` base of the outer division of the duplex cover, fits within an annular enlargement upon the upper portion of the centrifugal bowl, and the upper edge of the latter abuts against a circumferential extension of the annular base c of the outer division of the duplex cover outside of the iiange depending therefrom, and the joint thus made by the abutting parts is there suitably packed.

In order to prevent the inner division of the duplex cover from turning while `the outer division of that cover is being screwed down upon the centrifugal bowl and to guide such inner division of the cover in its descent so as to bring the flange projecting downward from its base squarely upon the top of the series of superposed and interlocked subdi- Viders without any twisting strain, a spline w is formed upon the outer surface of the feedtube a' and a corresponding groove g/ is cut in the bore of the inner division of the cover, so that the two fit and slide upon each other.

It will be seen that the entire passages for the delivery of the skim-milk from the centrifugal bowl are contained between the two divisions of the duplex cover and that when the apparatus is taken apart these two divisions are separable one from the other in such manner as to expose all the passages embraced between them and to render them easily accessible for cleansing.

I claim- 1. In a centrifugal cream-separator,a device for facilitating the separation of the cream from the blue milk, which consists of a series of superposed and interlocking Subdividers, each made of a fiat annular plate having affixed to both opposite sides and projecting at right angles therefrom, a cyclic series of parallel blades arranged in involute curves, and which when its parts are in normal, operative position is located within the annular space between the internal periphery of the centrifugal bowl and an axially-concentric central cavity therein,and forms an assemblage of closelyadjacent, relatively small, tubular, spiral ducts, open at their ends and extending through such annular space obliquely across planes radial to the axis of the bowl.

2. In a centrifugal cream-separator a series of superposed and interlocking Subdividers, each consisting of a flat annular plate which has affixed to both of its opposite sides and projecting at right angles therefrom, a cyclic series of parallel blades forming invol u te curves; and an annular iiange which projects downward from the under side of the cover, to bear upon the top of the series of such Subdividers when thus assembled within the centrifugal bowl, for steadying the same in place, and for securing above them an otherwise unobstructed space, and which is perforated at intervals to allow the iiow of liquid through it laterally.

3. In a centrifugal cream-separator a series of superposed and interlocking Subdividers,

each consisting of a flat annular plate which has aiiixed to both of its opposite sides and projecting at right angles therefrom, a cyclic series of parallel blades forming involute curves, and which has perforations through it between such blades; the whole being so assembled and arranged as to occupy an annular space between the internal periphery of the bowl and an axially-concentric central cavity therein, and to have the outer ends of the involute blades pointing toward the direction of revolution intended to be given to the centrifugal bowl.

4. A subdivider for use in a centrifugal cream-separator, consisting of a fiat annular plate which has aflixed to both of its opposite sides and projecting at right angles therefrom a cyclic series of parallel blades forming involute curves.

5. A subdivider for use in a centrifugal cream-separator, ha'ving in outline an annular shape and consisting of two series of parallel blades forming involute curves and arranged in coincident pairs on opposite sides of a rigid support therefor, with intermediate passages adapted to permit the ow of liquid transversely across the structure from one side to the other between consecutive blades.

6. In a centrifugal cream-separato r, a series of superposed and interlocking Subdividers, all of similar annular outline, and each consisting of two cyclic series of parallel blades forming involute curves and arranged in coincident pairs on opposite sides of a rigid sup- IOO IIO

port therefor, which is provided with lintermediatepassages adapted to permit thev flow "of liquid transversely across the, coincident pairs of blades, and against which, as an abut' ment, the free lateral edges ofthe blades of the next adjacent member ormembers of the series of interlocked subdividersbear.

7. In a centrifugal cream-separator which is provided with a duplex cover, consisting of separable inner and outer divisions, each comprising an annular base and a tubular neck, and

the two divisions containing between them the entire passages for the delivery of the skim-milk from the centrifugal bowl; exits which lead directly from those passages outside of the walls of the neck of the inner division of such cover, and which are so located that their extreme outeredges are at substantially the same radial distance from the axis of rotation as is theouter edge of the aperture for the final discharge of the cream when adjusted to its outermost position; and means -for tightly closing the space between such exits andthe outer division ofthe said cover.

8. In a centrifugal cream-separator which is provided with a duplex cover, consisting of separable inner and outer divisions, each comprising an annular base anda'tubular neck, and the two divisions containing between them the entire passages for the Adeli-very of the skim-milk from the centrifugal bowl; an inner division of such cover having an annular base which is substantially equal in diameter to the cylindrical cavity of the centrifugal bowl, and an annular groove 'which when the parts are all in normal, operative position, isv

located in the wall immediately surrounding the circumferential periphery of suchannular base of the inner division of the cover, and which affords space for the escape of the skimmilk at the extreme outermost portions of its mass into the discharge-passages between the two divisions of the cover.

9. Ina centrifugal cream-separator which is provided with a duplex cover, consisting of separable lnner and outer divisions, each comprising an annular base and a tubular neck, and

the two divisions containing between them the entire passages for the deliveryv of the skim-milk from the centrifugal bowl; an inner division of such cover which has its tubular neck contracted suiiiciently to permit a considerable portion of the walls inclosing the cream-discharge passage to project laterally beyond the outer surface of the walls of such contracted neck; andan-'annular diaphragm which bridges the space between such contracted neck and the surrounding neck of the outer division Vof the cover, and which conf tains apertures for the exit of the skim-milk,

so located that their extreme outer edges are f at substantially the same radial distance from the axis of rotation as is the outeredge of the 'aperture for the `final discharge of the cream when-adjusted to its outermost position.'

In a centrifugal cream-separator which is provided with a duplex cover, consisting of separable inner and outer divisions, each cour' prising an annular 4base and a tubular neck, and the two dlvl'sions contalning between them the entire passages for the delivery of the skim-milk from the centrifugal bowl; an outer divisionof such cover which has a flange depending'from the outer margin of its. annular base to make screw connection with the upper edge of the centrifugal bowl; an inner division of such cover which has its annular base of substantially equal diameter to that of the internal periphery of the flange aforesaid upon the outer division of the cover; and an annular groove formed in the inner wall of that iiange, which, when the outer division of the cover is screwed down upon the centrifugal bowl so as to bring all parts of the apparatus into normal, operative position, immediately the annular base of the inner division of the -surrounds the circumferential periphery of cover, and affordsspace fo`r the escape of the skim-milk at the extreme outermost portions o'f its mass into the discharge-passages between the two divisions of the cover.

11. In a centrifugal cream-separator which is provided with a duplex cover, consisting of separable inner and outer divisions, each comprising an annular base and a tubular neck,-

andthe two divisions containing between them the entire passages for the delivery of the skim-milk from the centrifugal bowl; an-annular diaphragm which projects outwardly from the neck of the inner division, which bridges the space'` between this neckand the inner surface of the neck of the outer division, and which containsv apertures for the exit ofthe skim-milk into the inal discharge-cavity therefor; an inwardly-projecting annular offset upon the outer neck above thesaid diaphragm; and means for forming a tight joint between such offset and diaphragm when the parts of the apparatus are in normal, operative position.

12. In a centrifugal cream-separator which is provided with a duplex cover consisting of separable inner and outer divisions, each comprising an annular base and a tubular neck, and containing between them the passages for .the delivery of the skim-milk from the centrifugal bowl; a laterally-perforated annular liange projecting'downward from the base of the inner division of the cover and adapted to bear upon the top of the series of Subdividers assembled within the centrifugal bowl.

13. In a centrifugal cream-separator which isprovided with a duplex cover consisting of separable inner and outer divisions, each cornprising an annular base and a tubular neck, and contalning between them the passages forl IOO .JIIO

the delivery of the skim-milk from lolie eencover with its said ange from axial turning trifugal bowl; a laterally-perforated annular when the outer division of the cover is being lange projecting downward from the base of screwed to its seat.

the inner division of the cover and adapted to PERLEY L. KIMBALL. 5 bear upon the top'of the series of Subdividers Witnesses:

assembled within the centrifugal bowl; and R. C. BIDWELL,

means for keeping such inner division of the A. L. HAINES. 

